Shopping on line can be easy, simple and save you lots of money. It can also take a lot of your time, frustrate you, and result in unwanted purchases. Now the same can be said for regular high street shopping, but with the vast opportunity presented by the Internet it will pay you to spend a few minutes reading this and understanding how to better optimize your Ford Escape Hybrid shopping experience:
1. Compare - without doubt the biggest advantage that the Ford Escape Hybrid offers shoppers today is the ability to compare thousands of Ford Escape Hybrid at a time. This is a great thing, but not necessarily all the time! Too much can be daunting at times so take advantage of the great comparison sites and where possible let them do the hard work for you.
2. Research - if it has been said it will be on the internet. Ignorance is no longer a justifiable reason for buying the wrong thing. Take the time to research in detail everything that you could possible want to know about
3. Testimonials - don't know anybody that has bought a Ford Escape Hybrid? Wrong! If the Ford Escape Hybrid is good the internet will let you know. Use the Internet as a friend and get testimonials before you buy.
4. Questions - Got a question about Ford Escape Hybrid then search the Forums, FAQ's, Blogs etc. Don't be afraid to ask .....
5. Reputation - Never heard of the company selling Ford Escape Hybrid? Don't worry, no reason why you should know every company in the world, but you know someone that does! Use the internet to find out what people are saying about Ford Escape Hybrid and build up a picture of their reputation for sales, returns, customer service, delivery etc.
6. Returns - still worried that even after all of the above your Ford Escape Hybrid wont be what you want? Check out the returns policy. There is so much competition now that someone, somewhere is bound to offer the terms that you are comfortable with.
7. Feedback - happy with your Ford Escape Hybrid then let people know, after all you are depending on others people input in your buying decision, so why not give a little back.
8. Security - check for the yellow padlock on the Ford Escape Hybrid site before you buy, and the s after http:/ /i.e. https:// = a secure site
9. Contact - got a question about Ford Escape Hybrid, or want to leave a comment then check out the sites contact page. Reputable companies have them and respond.
10. Payment - ready to pay for your Ford Escape Hybrid, then use your credit card or PayPal! Be aware of companies that don't accept them, there may be genuine reasons but given the huge amount of choice you have when buying online there is no reason at all not to buy via credit card or PayPal.
{{Infobox Automobile|name=Ford Escape Hybrid|image=|manufacturer=
Ford Motor Company|body_style=4-door [SUV|layout=[Front-engine design, front-wheel drive / four-wheel drive|related=[Mazda Tribute
Mercury Mariner-->{{Infobox Automobile generation] Straight-4
Atkinson cycle|transmission=[Continuously variable transmission-->The
Ford Escape Hybrid, launched in 2004, is a
Gas-electric hybrid vehicle powered version of the
Ford Escape SUV developed by the Ford Motor Company. Built in
Kansas City, Missouri, it was the first hybrid SUV to hit the market. A similar vehicle, the
Mercury Mariner is sold by Ford's
Mercury (automobile) marque. A third variation, the
Mazda Tribute, is expected to arrive in the fall of 2007 as a 2008 Model Year vehicle with a limited production run for the California market. 2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid page at Mazda USA web site
Hybrid versions can be identified by the :Image:Ford_leaf_road_logo.jpg on the front driver's and passenger's doors as well as on the tailgate. In addition, the driver's side window in the cargo area is smaller in size in order to accommodate a ventilation slot for the high voltage battery. There was also a "Special Appearance Package" available as an option on the 2004-2007 Hybrid models. This package replaced the traditional lower cladding of the Escape with a silver finish (see picture).
The Escape hybrid is a "full" hybrid electric system, meaning the system can switch automatically between pure electric power, pure gasoline engine power, or a combination of electric battery and gasoline engine operating together, for maximum performance and efficiency at all speeds and loads. When braking or decelerating, the Escape's hybrid system uses
regenerative braking, where the electric drive motor becomes a generator, converting the vehicle's momentum back to electricity for storage in the batteries. With , the Hybrid Escape has nearly the same acceleration performance as the conventional V6 Escape.
Ford built 17,000 Escape Hybrids in the second half of 2004, four times as many as it had originally planned, and sales figures have remained steady: Hybrid Sales Figures/Tax Credits for Hybrids Electric Drive Transportation Association. Retrieved on 2007-
08-24.
{]-09-12.
], 2007.
Toyota, launched two hybrid SUVs in 2005, a version of their Highlander, and a Lexus-badged RX 400h, both of which outsold the Escape hybrid in 2006, their first full year of sales. Hybrid Car Sales Figures: Ford Hybrid Car Sales 2006 US (Commercial website). Hybridcar.com. Retrieved on
2007-
08-24. A number of
Mazda Tribute Hybrids have also been produced.
Ford announced the development of a prototype Hybrid Escape E85, the first hybrid vehicle capable of running on 85% ethanol
Flexible-fuel vehicle, although they have not announced any production plans. Ford Develop's World's First Ethanol-Fueled Hybrid Marrying Two Gasoline-Saving Technologies. (Press release, corporate website). Media.ford.com. Retrieved on 2007-08-24.
Development
The Escape Hybrid uses technology similar to that used in
Toyota's Prius. Ford engineers realized their technology may conflict with patents held by Toyota, which led to a 2004 patent-sharing accord between the companies, licensing Ford's use of some of Toyota's hybrid technology in exchange for Toyota's use of some of Ford's diesel and direct-injection engine technology.Tierney, Christine. Ford slams Toyota on hybrids: Detroit automaker may run short on parts from manufacturers affiliated with Asian carmakers.
Detroit News, 2005-
08-08. Retrieved on
2007-
08-06. Both Ford and
Toyota state that Ford received no technical assistance from Toyota in developing the hybrid powertrain. Aisin Seiki Co., a Japanese automotive components supplier belonging to the Toyota Group, supplies the hybrid transmission for the Escape Hybrid. While Toyota produces its third-generation Prius transmission in-house, Aisin is the only supplier of hybrid transmissions to other manufacturers. Friction has arisen concerning Aisin's allocation of limited production capacity and engineering resources to Ford.
Sanyo Electric Co., which first produced hybrid car batteries in a joint venture with Honda, Honda In Joint Venture With Sanyo To Produce Hybrid Car Batteries.
2002-04-20. Retrieved on 2007-08-07. built the , 5.5 Ah, 250-cell Nickel metal hydride battery (NiMH) battery pack for the 2005 Escape Hybrid. 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid Electric Vehicle HEV America,U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity. 2005. Retrieved on
2007-
08-07.
Performance
The Escape Hybrid's 133 horsepower (99 kW) gasoline engine and electric motor combine to give performance similar to the
V6 engine commonly used in the regular Escape. The hybrid is said to give approximately 75% greater efficiency, with about 33 to 36 mpg (U.S.) (6.5-7.1 L/100 km) in city traffic, (and has demonstrated it can travel 400–500 miles (644-805 km) on a single 16.5 gallon (62.4 L) tank of gasoline in city driving), and 29 to 31 mpg (U.S.) (7.6L-8.1 L/100 km) on the highway. Unlike conventional vehicles, hybrids often achieve better figures in the city because they do not waste power idling and can recover some power when stopping (by using
regenerative braking) that would be wasted on a conventional vehicle.
The Escape Hybrid can accelerate up to approximately 39 miles per hour (63 km/h) on electric, with a gentle acceleration. A maximum distance of - can be performed on electric before the batteries will discharge and the gasoline will restart. When coasting, if the brake is gently tapped when passing below , the gasoline engine will cut off, and the coast will continue with no gasoline being consumed. Electric mode does not perform as well when below 50 degrees F (10 °C), and performance degrades further as outside temperature drops further.
Emissions
The Escape Hybrid meets both
California's SULEV and
PZEV standards, with tailpipe emissions better than 90% less than the average 2003 new car and zero evaporative emissions.
Plug-in hybrids
Ford announced on July 9, 2007 that it will team up with
Southern California Edison (SCE) to examine the future of plug-in hybrids in terms of how home and vehicle energy systems will work with the electrical grid. Under the multi-million-dollar, multi-year project, Ford will convert a demonstration fleet of
Ford Escape Hybrids into plug-in hybrids, and SCE will evaluate how the vehicles might interact with the home and the utility's electrical grid. Some of the vehicles will be evaluated "in typical customer settings," according to Ford. http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/enn.cfm#id_11093 http://media.ford.com/newsroom/release_display.cfm?release=26326
See also
- List of hybrid vehicles
- Hybrid Synergy Drive (used in Toyota & Lexus vehicles)
- Hybrid vehicle
- Ford Escape (regular non-hybrid version)
- Mercury Mariner
- Mazda Tribute
- Ford CD2 platform
- Ford Motor Company
References
External links
- Ford's Escape Hybrid page
- Hybrid Federal Tax Credit.
- Escape Central: Escape/Mariner/Tribute Enthusiast site
- First Drive: 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid - At CanadianDriver.com
- Ford Escape forum at GreenHybrid.com
- HowStuffWorks: How the Ford Escape Hybrid Works
- Ford Escape Hybrid reviews and real user experiences.
- Informations about Hydrogen Production, "free" energy and Hybrid Cars.
{{Infobox Automobile|name=Ford Escape Hybrid|image=|manufacturer=Ford Motor Company|body_style=4-door [SUV|layout=[Front-engine design, front-wheel drive /
four-wheel drive|related=[Mazda TributeMercury Mariner-->{{Infobox Automobile generation]
Straight-4 Atkinson cycle|transmission=[Continuously variable transmission-->The
Ford Escape Hybrid, launched in 2004, is a
Gas-electric hybrid vehicle powered version of the Ford Escape SUV developed by the
Ford Motor Company. Built in Kansas City, Missouri, it was the first hybrid
SUV to hit the market. A similar vehicle, the
Mercury Mariner is sold by Ford's
Mercury (automobile) marque. A third variation, the
Mazda Tribute, is expected to arrive in the fall of 2007 as a 2008 Model Year vehicle with a limited production run for the California market. 2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid page at Mazda USA web site
Hybrid versions can be identified by the :Image:Ford_leaf_road_logo.jpg on the front driver's and passenger's doors as well as on the tailgate. In addition, the driver's side window in the cargo area is smaller in size in order to accommodate a ventilation slot for the high voltage battery. There was also a "Special Appearance Package" available as an option on the 2004-2007 Hybrid models. This package replaced the traditional lower cladding of the Escape with a silver finish (see picture).
The Escape hybrid is a "full" hybrid electric system, meaning the system can switch automatically between pure electric power, pure gasoline engine power, or a combination of electric battery and gasoline engine operating together, for maximum performance and efficiency at all speeds and loads. When braking or decelerating, the Escape's hybrid system uses
regenerative braking, where the electric drive motor becomes a generator, converting the vehicle's momentum back to electricity for storage in the batteries. With , the Hybrid Escape has nearly the same acceleration performance as the conventional V6 Escape.
Ford built 17,000 Escape Hybrids in the second half of 2004, four times as many as it had originally planned, and sales figures have remained steady: Hybrid Sales Figures/Tax Credits for Hybrids Electric Drive Transportation Association. Retrieved on
2007-
08-24.
{]-
09-12.
], 2007.
Toyota, launched two hybrid SUVs in 2005, a version of their Highlander, and a Lexus-badged RX 400h, both of which outsold the Escape hybrid in 2006, their first full year of sales. Hybrid Car Sales Figures: Ford Hybrid Car Sales 2006 US (Commercial website). Hybridcar.com. Retrieved on
2007-08-24. A number of
Mazda Tribute Hybrids have also been produced.
Ford announced the development of a prototype Hybrid Escape E85, the first hybrid vehicle capable of running on 85% ethanol
Flexible-fuel vehicle, although they have not announced any production plans. Ford Develop's World's First Ethanol-Fueled Hybrid Marrying Two Gasoline-Saving Technologies. (Press release, corporate website). Media.ford.com. Retrieved on 2007-
08-24.
Development
The Escape Hybrid uses technology similar to that used in Toyota's Prius. Ford engineers realized their technology may conflict with patents held by Toyota, which led to a 2004 patent-sharing accord between the companies, licensing Ford's use of some of Toyota's hybrid technology in exchange for Toyota's use of some of Ford's diesel and direct-injection engine technology.Tierney, Christine. Ford slams Toyota on hybrids: Detroit automaker may run short on parts from manufacturers affiliated with Asian carmakers.
Detroit News, 2005-
08-08. Retrieved on
2007-
08-06. Both Ford and Toyota state that Ford received no technical assistance from Toyota in developing the hybrid powertrain.
Aisin Seiki Co., a Japanese automotive components supplier belonging to the Toyota Group, supplies the hybrid transmission for the Escape Hybrid. While Toyota produces its third-generation Prius transmission in-house, Aisin is the only supplier of hybrid transmissions to other manufacturers. Friction has arisen concerning Aisin's allocation of limited production capacity and engineering resources to Ford.
Sanyo Electric Co., which first produced hybrid car batteries in a joint venture with Honda, Honda In Joint Venture With Sanyo To Produce Hybrid Car Batteries.
2002-
04-20. Retrieved on
2007-
08-07. built the , 5.5 Ah, 250-cell
Nickel metal hydride battery (NiMH) battery pack for the 2005 Escape Hybrid. 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid Electric Vehicle HEV America,U.S. Department of Energy Advanced Vehicle Testing Activity. 2005. Retrieved on 2007-08-07.
Performance
The Escape Hybrid's 133
horsepower (99 kW) gasoline engine and electric motor combine to give performance similar to the
V6 engine commonly used in the regular Escape. The hybrid is said to give approximately 75% greater efficiency, with about 33 to 36 mpg (U.S.) (6.5-7.1 L/100 km) in city traffic, (and has demonstrated it can travel 400–500 miles (644-805 km) on a single 16.5 gallon (62.4 L) tank of gasoline in city driving), and 29 to 31 mpg (U.S.) (7.6L-8.1 L/100 km) on the highway. Unlike conventional vehicles, hybrids often achieve better figures in the city because they do not waste power idling and can recover some power when stopping (by using
regenerative braking) that would be wasted on a conventional vehicle.
The Escape Hybrid can accelerate up to approximately 39 miles per hour (63 km/h) on electric, with a gentle acceleration. A maximum distance of - can be performed on electric before the batteries will discharge and the gasoline will restart. When coasting, if the brake is gently tapped when passing below , the gasoline engine will cut off, and the coast will continue with no gasoline being consumed. Electric mode does not perform as well when below 50 degrees F (10 °C), and performance degrades further as outside temperature drops further.
Emissions
The Escape Hybrid meets both California's
SULEV and PZEV standards, with tailpipe emissions better than 90% less than the average 2003 new car and zero evaporative emissions.
Plug-in hybrids
Ford announced on July 9, 2007 that it will team up with
Southern California Edison (SCE) to examine the future of
plug-in hybrids in terms of how home and vehicle energy systems will work with the electrical grid. Under the multi-million-dollar, multi-year project, Ford will convert a demonstration fleet of Ford Escape Hybrids into plug-in hybrids, and SCE will evaluate how the vehicles might interact with the home and the utility's electrical grid. Some of the vehicles will be evaluated "in typical customer settings," according to Ford. http://www.eere.energy.gov/news/enn.cfm#id_11093 http://media.ford.com/newsroom/release_display.cfm?release=26326
See also
References
External links
- Ford's Escape Hybrid page
- Hybrid Federal Tax Credit.
- Escape Central: Escape/Mariner/Tribute Enthusiast site
- First Drive: 2005 Ford Escape Hybrid - At CanadianDriver.com
- Ford Escape forum at GreenHybrid.com
- HowStuffWorks: How the Ford Escape Hybrid Works
- Ford Escape Hybrid reviews and real user experiences.
- Informations about Hydrogen Production, "free" energy and Hybrid Cars.
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